I distinctly remember the year 2018 when the Statue of Unity was unveiled at Kewadia, Gujarat, in Bharat. I happened to be in the USA then and had just returned from sightseeing after visiting the Statue of Liberty. Back home in Bharat, something bigger was happening and I still remember the local Bharatiya community celebrated it by unveiling of a similar small statue in New York city.
The Statue of Unity has captured the world’s attention since then not just for being the tallest statue globally but for what it represents : unity, strength, and the unwavering spirit of Bharat, India.
A visit to this monument which is a tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Iron Man of India, has long been on our family's wish list. When our summer trip to the Statue of Unity finally materialized, the anticipation was palpable. I was excited to witness the world’s tallest statue but was unaware of the depth of feelings that would be evoked.
Leaving the comfort of our air conditioned vehicle for an e-rickshaw in the sweltering heat was very discomforting initially. Yet our first step on Narmada's punya bhoomi negated everything adverse.
During the day when we visited different places like the cactus garden, animal safari, valley of flowers we had already seen the Statue from various angles at a distance. Yet nothing had prepared us for the actual collosal view of the statue as we neared it. The heat seemed to have just evaporated.
Standing 182 meters tall, the Statue of Unity is a marvel of engineering and artistry no doubts and almost double in comparison to the Statue of Liberty.
But what struck me most wasn't just the height but the the emotions it invoked. The stern yet composed expression on Sardar's face, the lifelike detailing of his clothes and the sheer scale of the structure filled me with awe.
The entry to the monument is well-organized with great thought for comfort of the visitors with travelators, escalators and electric carts that make navigating the whole complex easy. And going upto the viewer's gallery located at 153 meters in a lift makes it easier. The panoramic views of the Narmada River and Sardar Sarovar Dam from there is awe inspiring as one isn't just looking at a statue but at the idea of Bharat, India, firm, resolute, and unshakably united.
The museum below tells you about history and Sardar's great role in uniting India. Yet, no amount of reading could have prepared me for that feeling. Facts can tell us how tall it is, how much steel went into its frame, or how long it took to built but they can't tell us what it feels like to stand before it and look incredibly miniscule yet feel incredibly proud.
There’s a quiet magic in how this statue brings people together. Standing among fellow visitors, were people with different backgrounds who spoke different languages yet had one shared expression of wonder and gratitude. The idea of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’ no longer remains a slogan but becomes real and alive along with the air reverberating with the heartbeat of each person around.
Sardar Patel's legacy is not just cast in bronze and concrete; it is alive in the feelings which the monument stirs in every visitor. His efforts to unite a fragmented nation come alive in the silent reverence that surrounded us all.
The sound and light show on the wonderful statue is the best part bringing to light many facts about Sardar instilling a sense of nationalism.
Visiting the Statue of Unity wasn’t just another trip, it was a journey into the soul of our nation.
I couldn't help but recall the sense of freedom represented by the Statue of Liberty, a symbol that holds little meaning unless we stand united. In a world increasingly divided by narrow-minded thinking, the need for unity has never been greater. The Statue of Unity reiterated just that.
So if you haven’t yet made the journey to Kewadia, I urge you to go, not just to admire the tallest statue in the world, but to feel unity that no data can define. After all it isn’t just about Sardar Patel alone, it’s about us, Our identity as Indians. Our connection to one another, no matter our differences.
As for me, I went to see a statue. I came back having felt something deeper, a renewed sense of pride, of gratitude, of belonging to Bharat.
The Statue of Unity is not just a photo opportunity; it’s a journey into our history, our values, and the vision of a united India.Truly some places give you more than memories, they give your life a meaning.
R. Vimala, IAS,
Compassionate Civil Servant &
PhD Scholar at IIT Bombay
Great Ma'am..I felt the same when I have been there recently but you express it perfectly.
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